Podcast: Focused on the Future
Organizations and institutions often focus on the short term. Not considering the long-term impact has major implications in global issues such as climate change, poverty, deforestation, religious conflicts and migration. For these major issues we must develop long-term strategies. In the 'Focused on the Future' Podcast, scientists and stakeholders come together to discuss new views on big issues based in 'longtermism'. This podcast is an initiative of Utrecht University, specifically the Longtermism Platform within the UU Strategic Theme Institutions for Open Societies.
The podcast series has a unique structure wherein stakeholders and scientists perspectives come together to share perspectives and dialogue on long-term thinking. The conversation begins by sharing a perspective on 'longtermism', from which a stakeholder contributes and poses questions that then prompt discussions with scientists and academics in the field. This collective approach seeks to think critically about the notion of 'longtermism' and the potential for long-term thinking to contribute to equitable solutions.
Podcast Episodes
#6: Citizen Councils
Citizen councils are often used throughout Europe as an additional form of democracy. Randomly drawn residents work together to find solutions to tough social problems. In Ireland there have been citizen consultations on abortion legislation and climate policy. In some cities, permanent citizens' councils have even been introduced. In Utrecht, The Netherlands, the advice of their first citizens' council was recently presented. But what is the position of such an advice within our current democratic government? Guest of honour, Alderman of the Municipality of Utrecht, and responsible for the first citizens' council in Utrecht, Eva Oosters, asks questions about the acceptance of the advice of citizen councils and keeping all the citizen involved in the process, to experts across disciplines including, Hanneke van Eijken, Coco Kanters, Rianne Dekker.
#5: Government
Imposing new restrictions on producers and consumers, increasing price gaps between sustainable and unsustainable alternatives through tariffs, taxes, and levies can only go so far. The question stands: How do we balance the long term effects with the short term actions? In this episode, experts across disciplines — including Tom Bouwman, Martijn Snoep, Ana Poças Ribeiro, Michèlle Bal, and Joel Anderson — explore how changes to production and consumption patterns can ensure ecological sustainability.
#4: Communities
Large-scale changes, like the Covid pandemic, make it clear that inequality exists and is being reinforced as a result. We tend to look at Governments for countering inequalities due to these changes, but what role do communities play? How do communities respond? The main question explored here — what role do communities play in societal changes for the long-term benefit? In this episode, three Utrecht Univeristy professors — Mara Yerkes, Mucahid Bayrak and Julie Fraser — come together across disciplines to discuss their perspectives on the subject.
#3: Law and a Sustainable World
Climate change is a global problem that affects both current and future generations. Companies, Governments, NGO’s and civilians have to play their role in preventing the impact of climate change. In this episode we explore legal cases such the State of the Netherlands v. Urgenda Foundation, Royal Dutch Shell, and explore landmark legal cases and human rights issues about climate change. The question is 'how can law or the judge actually ensure a sustainable and liveable world for future generations?.' Guests Elbert de Jong, Natalie Dobson, and Mathijs Boom come together from a range of expertises to discuss their perspectives.
#2: Investments for System Change
Although investors tend to look at the short term, they are forced to contribute to global problems that require a long-term view. Crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss and growing inequality lead to new risks, regulations and pressure from the public opinion. However, simply investing ‘more’ will not be sufficient. How can investments positively impact long-term global challenges? What changes are needed to let investment work towards sustainability in stead of against it? Guests Roberta Benedetti del Rio, Johan Schot, Martijn Klop, Diana Velasco and Friedemann Polzin come together from a range of expertises to discuss their perspectives.
#1: Longtermism and Climate Change
Climate change has a huge effect on the world, but also in The Netherlands. We are raising the dikes to prevent flooding, just as we have been doing for centuries. Can we keep on doing this, knowing that a large part of The Netherlands is already below sea level? In this episode, Petra Goessen of the Regional Water Authority in the North West of The Netherlands shares her thoughts about the future challenges in her work and responsibility. She is joined by three academic thinkers to share their long-term perspectives on climate change: Herman Kasper Gilissen, Rak Kim, and Kim Cohen.
Want to stay up to date with the latest episodes? All the 'Focused on the Future' podcast episodes can be found here, and can also be listened to on Spotify and Springcast. New episodes are released each month!